Japan PM Ishiba, after meeting Trump, voices optimism over averting tariffs

9/2/2025 12:40

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed optimism on Sunday that his country could avoid higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had "recognised" Japan's huge investment in the U.S. and the American jobs that it creates.



At his first White House summit on Friday, Ishiba told public broadcaster NHK, he explained to Trump how many Japanese automakers were creating jobs in the United States.



The two did not specifically discuss auto tariffs, Ishiba said, although he said he did not know whether Japan would be subject to the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has said he plans to impose on imports.



Tokyo has so far escaped the trade war Trump unleashed in his first weeks in office. He has announced tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, although he postponed the 25% duties on his North American neighbours to allow for talks.



The escalating trade tensions since Trump returned to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the global economy.



Ishiba said he believes Trump "recognised the fact Japan has been the world's largest investor in the United States for five straight years, and is therefore different from other countries."